Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly diagnosed with cancer

Jim Kelly has been diagnosed with cancer, Squamous-cell carcinoma of the upper jaw bone and will have surgery on Friday. Kelly recently underwent tests to show that the cancer is isolated in his jaw and has not spread to other parts of his body. Kelly, who starred for the Buffalo Bills from 1986 to 1996, released the following statement via the Bills website.

“This past couple of weeks has been difficult for me and because of the nature of social media I thought it would be best to share with everyone what has been going on with my health. I was recently diagnosed with Squamous-cell carcinoma (cancer) of the upper jaw bone. I have undergone tests which have shown that the cancer is isolated to my upper jaw and has not spread to other parts of my body. Surgery is scheduled for June 7th and doctors have told me that the prognosis for my recovery is very good.

With the excellent medical care that I will be receiving and the loving care of my wife Jill and my daughters Erin and Camryn and the support of my entire family and friends, I am extremely confident in my road to recovery. I plan to tackle this challenge head on, as we Kelly’s always do, with toughness, perseverance and faith.

I want to thank everyone who has offered their prayers and would appreciate any prayers said for me and my family moving forward. May God continue to bless you and our family.”

Kelly spent 11 seasons with the Bills before retiring following the 1996 season. He still holds nearly every significant career franchise passing record — 35,467 yards, 237 touchdowns and 26 300-yard games — and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002.